There is some cautiously optimistic good news on Michael Schumacher today. One month on from the skiing accident which left the seven time champion with a serious brain injury and in a medically induced coma, news from the hospital is that Schumacher’s sedation is to be reduced to facilitate, in the words of Sabime Kehm, Schumacher’s agent, “the waking process”. It’s the first statement we have had since the time of the accident.

Yesterday, one month to the day since the accident at the French Meribel resort, Kehm, under pressure for news, had confirmed Schumacher’s condition was “stable”. Previously his condition has been described as “critical but stable”. This alone was seen as better news than expected and Prof Gary Hartstein, formerly the senior medic on the F1 circuit told the BBC: “The fact that he is still sedated and not in an unsedated coma is better news than I expected.”

Today’s news is even more positive although Kehm made it clear the “waking up process could take a long time”. Schumacher’s coma was induced by the hospital treating him in Grenoble to give his brain the best possible chance to recover following operations to remove blood clots and pressure.

Schumacher’s last F1 team, Mercedes, have been running #KeepFightingMichael logos on its new W05 F1 cars testing this week in Jerez in the hands of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Ferrari meanwhile published a statement online that said: “Dear Michael, having spent so many years at Ferrari, you became one of us. You thrilled us so often, bringing us great joy, but the greatest one is yet to come: namely seeing you here in Maranello again, to meet your second family, the Ferrari one.” Schumacher won five of his seven titles and 72 of his 91 wins in a red car.

Schumacher’s wife Corinna and his teenage children Gina-Maria and Mick have remained in Grenoble since the accident. Kehm again appealed for their privacy but also passed on their “sincere appreciation for the worldwide sympathy”.

Everyone here and everyone out there will be hoping Michael’s condition continues to improve. #KeepFightingMichael indeed.